Digital Workplace Impact

How can you bring together professionals from across functions to propel knowledge management best practice and connections in complex organizations? Digital workplace leader Laurel Dzneladze is doing just that at LinkedIn with the introduction of an innovative group, the GEEK.  Laurel, Digital Platforms and Change Management Leader at LinkedIn, joins host Nancy Goebel for the latest episode of Digital Workplace Impact. She explains more about the power, value and energy of the GEEK – the generating effective and efficient knowledge group – as a key strategic leadership tool for transforming the employee experience.  With a rich career in digital platforms, change management and employee upskilling, Laurel has held leadership positions at Johnson Controls, Whole Foods, Arm and Microsoft. She talks about her career trajectory and continuing professional development, as well as her support for others through Stage Laurel – the approach she takes to networking, speaking with and learning from othe

We're operating at a time when change is moving with velocity. We live in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world – but what does that really mean and why should digital workplace teams and leaders care? In this latest conversation, host Nancy Goebel is joined in the Digital Workplace Impact studio by Maureen Ennis, Chief Change Catalyst, Hybrid Workforce Expert and Founder of Thrive. Maureen’s mission is to partner with executives to build highly productive, cohesive teams that are based on trust as a foundation for collaboration, productivity and transformative growth.  Together, the pair discuss Maureen’s recently published research on high-impact teams along with the frameworks she uses for leading such teams in worlds full of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. They examine the need to balance the head, heart and hands; the importance of building relationships; and the many challenges, including how to achieve the best mix of collaborative versus asynchrono

2024 marks the tenth anniversary of a powerful strategic partnership between DWG and MillerKnoll, a collective of dynamic brands that come together to design the world in which we live. This partnership is celebrated in a captivating conversation between Ryan Anderson, MillerKnoll’s Vice President of Global Research and Insights, and Digital Workplace Impact’s host, Nancy Goebel.    Ryan’s work focuses on designing workplaces that support healthy, inclusive and productive communities, and the pair discuss his vision for 2025 – a year he believes will focus on holistic wellbeing, connected distributed teams, user-initiated change, and more.  Together, Nancy and Ryan explore what can be learned from 2023 – the challenges and opportunities – and how digital workplace leaders can make 2024 a year that will really count. Empowering work through intentional design, the benefits of being playful and joyful at work, inclusive leadership and the balance of managing strong and weak ti

Discover the box of delights that is this year’s Member Research Programme at DWG! Host Nancy Goebel is joined in the Digital Workplace Impact studio by Elizabeth Marsh, DWG’s Director of Research, to talk about the research planned for 2024. Elizabeth shares the stories behind how this year’s themes have been selected. DWG’s Research Advisory Board, member input and the 2024 digital workplace predictions have all played their part in helping to pinpoint the hottest digital workplace topics of the day.  The programme comprises six research projects, which promise to provide new insights along with some practical tools and ideas.The DWG team aims to search out great best practice on day-to-day topics and to help digital workplace practitioners consider their own response to industry developments. Futuring for digital workplace teams, AI readiness and digital workplace product management are just some of the themes that will come under the spotlight this year.  So, to get the ‘head

“DWG is uniquely positioned to talk to lots of practitioners and providers in our circles day to day. The predictions really represent an embodiment of the patterns that we see, and are a way for us to help create a line of sight not only for our members, but also for the industry at large.” - Nancy Goebel, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Workplace Group As 2024 gets underway, things are switched up for this latest episode of Digital Workplace Impact. Our usual host, Nancy Goebel, takes the hot seat to be interviewed by DWG’s Director of Knowledge, Shimrit Janes. The session’s focus? DWG’s top 10 predictions for the digital workplace in the year ahead.  And just what could these megatrends be? If content is king, will data be queen? Will digital workplace impact be assessed using AI-powered insights? Is search dead? And, what’s likely to be ahead for digital workplace leaders? Nancy also re

In this year’s first episode of Digital Workplace Impact, host Nancy Goebel takes a look at the top podcasts from the 2023 series and offers you a résumé of those that proved most popular with listeners. As a baker’s half dozen, this collection is a highlights reel of delights. Each podcast presents the opportunity to learn more not only about recent industry insights and developments, but also about key players and change-makers. Topics covered last year were wide and varied: from DWG's own predictions for the industry to living examples of digital transformation; from a people-first approach to AI through to impact stories from DWG’s awards programme, leading research, and more. All had common threads – lively conversation, thought-provoking ideas and insightful

John Rossman, a thought leader on digital and innovation strategies, and author of the best-selling book The Amazon Way, joins host Nancy Goebel for the latest episode of Digital Workplace Impact. Known for his deep insights into Amazon's unique leadership principles and tactics, John has translated these into actionable steps to help businesses accelerate their own digital transformations. In this fascinating conversation, the pair delve into digital transformation the Amazon way. They explore how Amazon's leadership principles, customer obsession and innovative culture have contributed to the company’s huge success. Looking forwards, Nancy and John also take a look at generative AI as the next big disruptor for digital transformation; at how this could impact the employee experience, the nature of work and the possibilities of creating the best possible AI-infused versions of businesses. Lessons for leaders, revealing principles and the benefits of bein

A power-house duo join host and DWG’s CEO Nancy Goebel for the latest Digital Workplace Impact podcast. This episode offers an absorbing discussion about the winners, big trends and key insights from DWG’s 2023 Digital Workplace of the Year Awards.  The guests are Elizabeth Marsh, DWG Director of Research, who manages DWG’s awards programme, and Susan Quain, Digital Employee Experience Director at Fidelity International and three-year veteran of the awards’ judging panel. During their conversation, a wide range of themes are explored, including: what made the class of 2023 award winners stand out; what some of the winners are doing right now to exploit the use of generative AI; and how the winners demonstrated innovative and creative approaches in their digital workplace programmes. They offer advice for digital workplace teams and even put out a call to ac

Have you ever considered the emotional journeys your employees take as they navigate the digital workplace, and the impact that these might have? In this podcast, host Nancy Goebel is joined by Lucy Selby, Senior Technical Consultant at Fidelity International. As a rising leader and a niche expert in the digital employee experience arena, Lucy explains more about emotional journeys and where they fit into the employee experience within a digital workplace context.  Is it possible to map, track and measure the success of emotional journeys? And can understanding this data really turbocharge rates of change? The pair discuss how translating emotional journeys can help optimize digital workplace experiences, and how, by doing so, this approach can benefit employees and organizations at large.  In a world that would otherwise be driven by opinion, listen now for fresh insight on the emerging area of emotional journeys, data and metrics.   (Show notes, links and transcript f

As a Microsoft MVP, Darrell Webster offers knowledge and experience in a way that bridges IT ‘know how’ with a clear understanding of user adoption and needs. In his words, the subject matter becomes his method to connect with people and to learn together with them. In this episode, Digital Workplace Impact host Nancy Goebel chats with the New Zealand-based modern work mentor and podcaster. They share insights and reflections on generative AI and specifically on Microsoft Copilot. Darrell talks through the necessity of understanding this new technology, what it could reveal and the value it could uncover, but also the need to prepare well and create community around its introduction. He takes listeners through his own mini-blueprint for readiness as Copilot advances into the workplace– including the idea of piloting Copilot itself.  Generative AI has the potential to spark a whole new level of natural curiosity and stronger collaboration, but might it also surface information that perhaps

As the long summer days transition to autumn, catch up on the midsummer magic of DWG’s most recent Member Meeting and Technology Lab. In this latest episode of Digital Workplace Impact, host and DWG Chief Executive, Nancy Goebel, reconnects with Ed Taylor, DWG’s Chief Growth Officer, and author and consultant, Nicole Carter, Co-Head of DWG’s Technology Provider Programme.  In a conversation much like a highlights reel, the trio brings you powerful insights from this recent London event. And, just as “the course of true love never did run smooth”, they also discuss the most pressing challenges facing today’s digital workplace practitioners along with some of the opportunities these present.  Member Meetings have closed doors, but Nancy, Ed and Nicole have the key. So, for more on shared ambitions for the future, trending topics and the power of the special connections created at DWG member events, listen now. (Show notes, links and transcript for this episode.) Guest speakers

Can technology empower and amplify the impact that humans can produce in the hybrid workplace?  Since pre-pandemic times, global giant Unilever has made the best of technology solutions to create a culture centred in collaboration, creativity and connection.  In this Digital Workplace Impact podcast, host Nancy Goebel is joined by Alessandro Ventura, Global Vice-President Technology Transformation at Unilever. They discuss his passions, priorities and focus on delivering business impact by bringing out humanity and happiness in the hybrid workplace.  This engaging conversation takes place just as Alessandro’s appointment to his current role was announced. He shares his insights and reflections on his career to date, along with advice for others on how to be an empathetic and people-focused leader at work.  For some fascinating insights and a glimpse into Alessandro’s forward-thinking approach to hybrid working, take a listen today.  (Show notes, links and tran

Spring 2023 saw DWG’s in-person member event take place at The Coca-Cola Company’s headquarters in Atlanta. Members often talk about DWG’s meetings as a barometer for the digital workplace industry: a chance to temperature-check change and share and capture new ideas. In this Digital Workplace Impact podcast, Edward Taylor, DWG’s Chief Growth Officer, and Angela Huffman Edwards, Co-Head of DWG’s Technology Provider Programme, chat with host Nancy Goebel about the most prominent themes of the meeting.  At such member events, DWG facilitates assembled practitioners to uncover the latest challenges and best practices. Atlanta’s agenda also included a DWG Technology Lab, where technology providers share new solutions and ideas in comfortable conversations.  Hot topics from the two days included channel fatigue post-COVID, personalization of complex services, the desire to connect disparate technologies, and mo

Christy Punch is a unique voice and recognized expert within the digital workplace industry. This year she reprises her role as a judge for DWG’s Digital Workplace of the Year Award. Christy, Senior Product Mgr. Engineering Experience, at Liberty Mutual Insurance S, joins long-time friend and host, DWG’s CEO Nancy Goebel, for the latest episode from the Digital Workplace Impact studio. Together, they talk about why Christy is excited to take on the role of judge, her focus oninnovation and the employee experience, and the key ingredients of her successful career to date.At global insurance specialist Liberty Mutual, Christy leads large-scale, complex digital transformation efforts. She is also recognized as one of Constellation Research’s Top 100 Leaders Transforming Employee and Customer Experience. During the discussion, Christy’s passion for ‘moving the needle’ for the businesses she works for shines through.To hear more, and to enjoy a vibrant conversation that covers Christy’s ca

What happens when organizations don’t address digital ethics effectively? And how much is possible when they do?DWG’s Director of Knowledge, Shimrit Janes, joins host Nancy Goebel in the Digital Workplace Impact studio for their final conversation on inclusivity in the digital workplace. Shimrit is the author of DWG’s recent thought-provoking three-part research series, which includes The inclusive digital workplace: 2. Forging digital ethics.The conversation uncovers the nature of ethics and how a dedicated digital strain is now emerging –  one that’s being tested even further with the emergence of generative AI. With real-life examples from Oxfam and Comcast, the two bring to life how new ways of working can be nurtured in the digital workplace, with approaches and pace to benefit both employees and organizations.In the ever-evolving digital workplace, there’s a point at which what’s possible with technology, what’s appropriate from a legal perspective and what’s preferabl

Could the potential of ChatGPT and generative AI capabilities compare with what mechanization did to spark the Industrial Revolution? If so, how can we best approach using AI as a springboard for evolution in today’s digital workplaces? In this episode of Digital Workplace Impact, host Nancy Goebel welcomes back Florin Rotar, Chief Technology Officer at Avanade, a leading provider of innovative digital, cloud and advisory services. In previous years, the two have collaborated on a number of projects, presenting a shared focus and unique perspectives on how digital technology is changing work and people.  In a matter of a few short months, ChatGPT has become a catalyst for change, curiosity and creativity in workplaces everywhere. In this conversation, Florin and Nancy really get to the heart of the hype, the risks and the opportunities, and ask whether ChatGPT and emerging AI capabilities will democratize the use of artificial intelligence at large? So, for a human-generated view on AI, jo

In the past 20 years, DWG has completed more than 700 benchmarks – both of intranet and digital workplaces – in each case providing insights for organizations to wanting to take the next step in achieving their ambitions. In this episode of Digital Workplace Impact, DWG’s benchmarking architect and lead benchmarking evaluator, Chris Tubb, helps to uncover the mysteries of all things benchmarking. What’s the DWG model? How does it work? How is it different from the Digital Workplace of the Year awards? And what are the biggest benefits to the organization of stepping into the benchmarking spotlight?  At a time when digital workplace teams are looking to sharpen their business cases for investment, provide proof of value or conduct health checks to inform their aspirations, DWG’s benchmarking gives an independent evaluation of how a digital workplace is performing along with actionable recommendations for ‘what next?’. Chris is one of DWG’s lead strategy consultants and a published author. D

That red carpet moment is nearly upon us as the Digital Workplace of the Year Awards team prepares for another season of sparkling entries.In this episode of Digital Workplace Impact, host and DWG’s Chief Executive Officer, Nancy Goebel, meets with two of the behind-the-scenes heroes who team up to deliver the Awards, and hears more about all that goes into celebrating and learning from the industry’s best of the best.  Chair of the Awards is Elizabeth Marsh, DWG’s Director of Research, while Sarah Escott, DWG Events and Collaboration Director, oversees DWG’s rolling programme of events, DWG’s own digital workplace, and is also the Awards programme manager. This in-depth conversation covers the origins story behind the success of these Awards, changes over the years, what's new this season, and spotlights what practitioners learn from start to finish. All this and more is packaged up with great advice on the application process – including not to worry about perfection! The Awards honour t

Creating digital accessibility is a responsibility and an opportunity all at once. In this episode of Digital Workplace Impact, host Nancy Goebel is once again joined by the insightful and astute Shimrit Janes, DWG’s Director of Knowledge. Together, they examine the importance of prioritizing digital accessibility, the subject of Shimrit’s final chapter in the new DWG three-part research series, The inclusive digital workplace. The discussion journeys through understanding disabilities and the role of accessibility in removing environmental, systemic and attitudinal barriers to participation. The pair stop to explore the backdrop of four disability models and the fit these have with the digital workplace. Also under scrutiny is a case study from MassMutual and a range of insights, including the crucial part that digital accessibility can play in helping to create a healthy living system within an organization. Shimrit’s advice throughout? Adopt a learning mindset to uncover what you don’t know, ho

Digital inclusivity is a way of working, a culture through which the digital workplace is intentionally made welcoming to everyone – but how can you successfully create this?  In this episode of Digital Workplace Impact, Shimrit Janes, DWG’s Director of Knowledge, shares her latest insights from The inclusive digital workplace: Part 1 – Nurturing digital inclusivity. This recent report, the first in a three-part DWG research series, is available online.  Host Nancy Goebel explores what inspired this series of reports, why Shimrit is releasing Nurturing digital inclusivity first, the difference between inclusivity and accessibility, and why ethics has also been investigated.   A key learning? You can focus on accessibility, but this doesn't mean you're creating an inclusive experience for everyone. Together, the two pinpoint great examples from the field as well as opportunities and challenges, covering the principles of good design and the value of becoming a ‘conscious